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MAINE TO REQUIRE ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR BIG BOXES
NEW RULES - The Maine legislature has given its approval to a bill that
requires cities and towns to evaluate the economic effects of
large-scale retail development and to approve only those projects that
will not have an adverse impact on jobs, local businesses, and municipal
finances. The legislation is the first of its kind in the nation. . .
In the debate leading up to the vote, Senator John Nutting
(D-Androscoggin County) argued that towns needed to more closely examine
the effects of large stores on the economy. Referencing research in
Maine and other states, Nutting noted that locally owned businesses
generate a bigger "economic multiplier" by keeping a much larger share
of their revenue in the state's economy. Large retailers, on the other
hand, have a "from away, go away" model. "The products are from away and
the profits go away," he explained. . .
Attempts to characterize the bill as "anti-business" largely failed
because more than 180 small business owners from across the state
strongly endorsed the measure in letters to lawmakers. . . Numerous
other small business, labor, environmental, and community groups
provided crucial support and engaged the help of their members.
Thousands of people contacted their representatives. Supportive
editorials and op-eds appeared in newspapers around the state.
The Informed Growth Act stipulates that cities conduct an economic
impact analysis for proposed stores larger than 75,000 square feet
(roughly half the size of a typical Target or Home Depot). The analysis
is performed by an independent consultant chosen by the town, but paid
for by a fee charged to the developer. It evaluates the effects of the
proposed store on existing businesses, jobs, wages, vacancy rates, the
cost of municipal services, and the volume of "sales revenue retained
and reinvested" in the community.
After the analysis is complete, the town must hold a public hearing.
Residents within a certain radius of the proposed store and officials of
adjacent municipalities must be given special notice of the hearing.
After considering the study's findings and public testimony, the town
may approve the store only if it concludes that it would not have an
undue adverse impact on the community and local economy.
http://www.newrules.org/retail/news_slug.php?slugid=360
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MAINE TO REQUIRE ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR BIG BOXES
NEW RULES - The Maine legislature has given its approval to a bill that
requires cities and towns to evaluate the economic effects of
large-scale retail development and to approve only those projects that
will not have an adverse impact on jobs, local businesses, and municipal
finances. The legislation is the first of its kind in the nation. . .
In the debate leading up to the vote, Senator John Nutting
(D-Androscoggin County) argued that towns needed to more closely examine
the effects of large stores on the economy. Referencing research in
Maine and other states, Nutting noted that locally owned businesses
generate a bigger "economic multiplier" by keeping a much larger share
of their revenue in the state's economy. Large retailers, on the other
hand, have a "from away, go away" model. "The products are from away and
the profits go away," he explained. . .
Attempts to characterize the bill as "anti-business" largely failed
because more than 180 small business owners from across the state
strongly endorsed the measure in letters to lawmakers. . . Numerous
other small business, labor, environmental, and community groups
provided crucial support and engaged the help of their members.
Thousands of people contacted their representatives. Supportive
editorials and op-eds appeared in newspapers around the state.
The Informed Growth Act stipulates that cities conduct an economic
impact analysis for proposed stores larger than 75,000 square feet
(roughly half the size of a typical Target or Home Depot). The analysis
is performed by an independent consultant chosen by the town, but paid
for by a fee charged to the developer. It evaluates the effects of the
proposed store on existing businesses, jobs, wages, vacancy rates, the
cost of municipal services, and the volume of "sales revenue retained
and reinvested" in the community.
After the analysis is complete, the town must hold a public hearing.
Residents within a certain radius of the proposed store and officials of
adjacent municipalities must be given special notice of the hearing.
After considering the study's findings and public testimony, the town
may approve the store only if it concludes that it would not have an
undue adverse impact on the community and local economy.
http://www.newrules.org/retail/news_slug.php?slugid=360
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